Is Moore in store for Miami Dolphins offense?

Matt Moore's efficient play at quarterback has helped the Dolphins offense improve, but is more in store?

December 3, 2011|By Omar Kelly, Staff Writer

DAVIE — Practice had concluded 20 minutes ago, but Tony Sparano and Matt Moore sat huddled up on a bleacher with their faces inches away from one another.

It was as if they were sharing state secrets.

Clearly ideas were flowing, thoughts were being exchanged, concerns addressed, and maybe even confessions made.

It's impossible to say exactly what was being discussed by the Dolphins' head coach and his new starting quarterback, but it's clear these two men, who have more impact on the team's outcome each Sunday than anyone else, were having a meaningful talk following the first day of preparation for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Plenty of those deep talks have taken place the past two months, since Moore was elevated to the starting role as Chad Henne's replacement. After all, the coaches and team, needed to become more familiar with Moore's likes, dislikes and vice versa.

After an adjustment period, it appears Moore is getting there. He became the third most efficient quarterback for the month of November, producing a 3-1 record and a 112.7 quarterback rating, which only trailed Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and Dallas' Tony Romo during that span.

In order for the Dolphins to finish strong in the season's final month, he'll need to take the offense to another level. To do that Moore and his coaches insist he needs to practice on "a higher level."

¿"I think you have to prepare and play it on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday just like you're going to do it on Sunday," said Moore, who has thrown seven touchdown and one interception in the last four games. "I missed some throws (against Dallas), but all I can do now is try to have a good practice."

The Dolphins have been encouraged by the growth the offense has shown recently, despite last week's re-emergence of red-zone issues.

The running game got going for a bit before last week's 3.6 yards per carry average against the Cowboys dipped the season average below 4.0 first time this season. Red-zone efficiency and third-down production improved drastically, moving the Dolphins from the basement in ranking for those stats.

Moore is getting more targets involved and began providing big plays (8.66 yards per attempt) with an aggressive approach.

It's clear he's becoming more comfortable as the Dolphins' starter, and the players around him have adjusted to his style.

"When we protect Matt, he can throw the ball and our receivers get open and do a great job," left tackle Jake Long said, referring to an offensive line that has allowed 34 sacks. "As a whole the offense has been growing and getting better. We just have to keep growing."

The hope inside the organization and the locker room is that Moore, who has a career-high 87.8 quarterback rating, can continue playing efficiently, and that would enable the offense to blossom.

"Any time you have key players that are in their first or second year with a team it takes time. You have an offensive coordinator in his first year here. A quarterback who just began starting," said receiver Brian Hartline. "People don't want to hear it, but timing, chemistry, learning to work together, sometimes that takes time."